Exercising device



, Sept. 27, 1932.

1.. P. 'M ONACO EXERCI S ING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 13, 1931 INVENTCR.

L P1 MUNAUU- BY y 6 a ATTORNEYS Sept. 27, 1932.

| P MONACO EXERCISING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 13, 1931 wa a? N\ m mH ..m.

INVENTOR.

L1 P1 MUMA C C:

BY as;

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 27, 1932 v UNITED STATES LOUIS P. MONACO, OF SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA EXERCISING DEVICE Application filed March 13, 1931. Serial N0. 522,410.

This invention relates to improvements in exercising devices and has particular reference to a device for exercising paralyzed limbs.

o A further object of this invention is to produce a device wherein various exercises may be accomplished as well as one wherein useful results, such as letter writing may also be performed.

iii A further object is to produce a device which is simple in construction and one which may be readily applied to any person suffering from paralyzed hands or arms, or may be used by persons who have incurred injuries to their hands or arms, or who are suffering from neuritis, arthritis, etc.

A further object is to produce a device of this character which is simple in construction and therefore economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a M part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a top plan View of my device,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1 showing the device in use as a writing aid,

30 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the floating table showing the exercising pins,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3 showing a pencil M positioned within the device, whereby writing may be accomplished, and

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 showing one of the exercising egs. 1 p In the treating of paralyzed hands and arms, it is a well known fact that by systematic exercise, the muscles can be again brought into use.

Applicant has therefore produced a device which may be employed not only for the purw pose of exercising, but also one wherein the user may accomplish writing, thus occupying his time to good advantage while securing the treatment. In the accompanying drawings wherein 9 for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a floating table which has rollers 6 positioned there-beneath, which rollers permit the floating table to be easily moved over any given surface upon which it 5; is placed. A window 7 is carried within the floating table, which window permits the user to view the supporting surfaces therethru. At 8 I have shown a series of pins, which pins are removably positioned in open- CZ. ings 9 formed in the table 5. These openings permit the pins to be rearranged as best suits the user. Within the window 5 are positioned rubber washers 11 which washers have openings there-thru, thru which a pen- 55 oil may be placed, as shown in dotted lines at 12. Hinged to the table 5 as at 13 is an arm board 1% to which straps 16 are secured. These straps permit the board 14 to be securely fastened to the forearm as shown in if:

dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2. A hinged portion 17 is hinged as at 18. The portion 14 is of such length that the hinge 18 lies adjacent the elbow so that the portion 17 is held against the lower end of the upper arm. This may be held to the upper arm either by a spring or straps.

The manner of using my device is as follows:

The paralyzed hand and arm are laid upon 1 the device so that the hand is in the position shown in Fig. 1. The straps 16 are then secured over the forearm. If the user merely wishes to exercise the forearm and hand, the rollers 6 permit movement of the arm and hand in any direction. Assuming that it is desired to exercise only the fingers, the pegs 8 are arranged in their holes and preferably in such a position that the fingers are spread some distance apart. By now taking the 31 other hand and moving the fingers upwardly and over the pegs into the next adjacent space between the next pegs, it will be seen that the fingers will exercise, and at the same time the pegs prevent the fingers from springing back to what would be their natural position. Assuming that it is desired to use the device as a writing aid, a pencil is positioned into one of the washers 11 and grasped either between the fingers, as illustrated in Fig. 1, or in the hand as illustrated in Fig. 2, if it is possible for the user to hold a pencil, after which the writing device is moved about over a writing service with a result that with very little practice, a person can write a fairly legible hand and in a short time can write in a manner that is surprisingly clear.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim In a device of the character described a movable table, a window formed in said table, an opening formed in said window, resilient washers formed in said opening whereby a pencil may be extended thru said opening, removable pegs surrounding said window and means for securing the forearm to said device.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

LOUIS P. MONACO. 

